An Historical Review of the Fish and Wildlife Resources of the San

THE FRESHWATER FISH AND FISHERIES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

HISTORICAL REVIEW water angling in the Bay Area. The more common freshwater fish species are listed in Appendix F-l. Ini- The freshwater fish fauna of the San Francisco Bay tial introductions of selected species now occurring in Area is quite varied and supports a large angling popu- the Bay Area are given in Appendix F-2. lation. This was not always so, however; the area orig- About 1884 the State Board of Fish Commissioners inally was deficient in natural lakes and warmwater was concerned about the vanishing Sacramento perch. streams and the many varieties of so-called warmwater The species was disappearing at an alarming rate, pre- or spiny-rayed gamefish. The only native warmwa- sumably because of overfishing and reclamation. More ter gamefish found here was the Sacramento perch recently, the introduction of alien species also has been (Archoplites interruptus). blamed for the perch scarcity. Salmonids on the other hand inhabited virtually Sacramento perch and several non-game varieties every stream. Native populations of rainbow trout found their way into the San Francisco commercial (Salmo gairdneri) were found in most streams with trade to some extent before 1870. They were obtained a year-around supply of cool water. Silver salmon and by seining in the Delta, in the lower reaches of the steelhead also favored the cooler waters and utilized rivers tributary to the Delta, and in Clear Lake, Lake many of the intermittent streams for spawning. County. Salmonids as a group have always been particularly The largemouth and smallmouth basses (Microp- favored both for food and sport and even in the early tenis salmoides and Micropterus dolomieui) respec- days of San Francisco were heavily exploited by an- tively, both highly esteemed as food and gamefish in glers. Besides angling they were taken by spears, traps, the East and Midwest, were among the first varieties weirs, explosives and any other available means. brought to California. They were brought out by Livingston Stone in 1874 and stocked in Alameda As the population of the Bay Area increased be- Creek and the Napa River. By 1890, most of the suit- tween 1850 and 1890, the local redwood forests were able lakes and streams in the Bay Area were well timbered off and public water supplies were devel- stocked with them. oped. Coastal streams suffered from pollution by saw- The white catfish (Ictalurus catus) and brown dust, grist, and siltation. The streams were obstructed bullhead {Ictalurus nebulosus) were introduced by by log jams and were dammed to form water supply Stone in 1874. Panfish and crappies were first intro- reservoirs and to harness their energy for the operation duced between 1890 and 1891 into Southern California of sawmills and flour mills. Records of the Fish and and made their way to Bay Area waters through later Game Commission relating to this early period indi- transplantations. cate the local salmonid fisheries suffered a severe setback. White catfish and brown bullheads increased at such a prolific rate that they supported a substantial com- It is of passing interest to note that the first hatchery mercial fishery from the turn of the century until and fish cultural station in California was established 1953 when the fishery was abolished by the legisla- on the grounds of the University of California at ture. Most of the catch, though landed at Pittsburg, Berkeley in 1869. The station, operated by "The Cali- was made in the Delta. Special fyke nets were em- fornia Acclimatization Society", and operated under ployed. the supervision of Mr. J. G. Woodbury, sold the fish Other freshwater species entering the commercial to the State Fish Commission. catch included carp (Cyprinus carpio), which were Immediately after the legislature established the first introduced from Europe in 1872, and the native State Board of Fish Commissioners (1870) this body hardhead (Mylopharodon conocephalus), squawfish set about to import prominent gamefish species of the (Ptchocheilus grandis), splittail (Pogonicbthys macro- East and Midwest. The black basses, panfishes (green lepidotus), and Sacramento blackfish, (Orthodon mi- sunfish, bluegills, etc.) catfishes, perches, and eastern crolepidotus). For the most part the latter species were brook and brown trout were among the freshwater taken incidental to shad and salmon by the Pittsburg varieties introduced. Most of them did extremely well fleet and landed at either Pittsburg or San Francisco. in their new environment. As a matter of fact, the The Department of Fish and Game issues special per- introduced species now sustain virtually all warm- mits to commercial operators to fish for some of these 128 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME species in certain inland waters infested with them. the latter indicates angler preference and the relative The quantity taken each year through 1958 is shown proportion of anglers fishing for selected species in in Appendix B-2 under the heading "Commercial Region 3 as compared with the rest of the State. Freshwater Fisheries". Catfish landings are shown un- The number of anglers residing in the region was der the same heading. The fishery was discussed estimated at 307,000 and 323,000 in 1951 and 1953, briefly in the commercial fisheries section of this re- respectively. This represented 29.7 and 27.0 percent port. of all licensed anglers in those years. Lack of data makes it impossible to evaluate the freshwater sport fisheries of the past. Sport fishery surveys and censuses are of recent origin, and even CLASSIFICATION OF FISHERIES these encompass but a small proportion of the fisheries. In general, the warmwater fisheries have been ex- panded through construction of water storage reser- ANGLING PRESSURE voirs, while stream habitat, supporting salmon, steel- head, and resident trout has decreased because of water General information concerning angling in the re- development. gion, as compared to the state as a whole, is available from postal card surveys: Calhoun (1953), Skinner The continued growth of the Bay Area has resulted (1955) and Ryan (1959). It was estimated on the in a steady increase in storage reservoirs for municipal basis of these surveys that approximately 30 percent and industrial water supply and irrigation purposes of the State's angling population resided in the Depart- until there are now more than 50 of them distributed ment of Fish and Game's Administrative Region 3, a throughout the nine Bay Area counties. As a conse- considerably larger area than that encompassed by this quence, there has been a steady increase in lacustrine report. (See Figure 3 and Figure 5.) habitat and fisheries. Most reservoirs are best suited The catch of trout, river salmon and steelhead in to warmwater species, but a few, those too cool or this Region is on the order of ten, nine and seventeen fluctuating to support a good warmwater population, percent, respectively, of the state-wide totals for these are often managed as trout lakes. Regardless of the species. Black bass, catfish and panfish each represent type of fishery, all are potentially valuable recreational 20 to 25 percent of the state-wide totals as judged areas. Unfortunately many of the reservoirs used for from the postal surveys. The catch by species and domestic water supply are not open to the public for percentage contributed to the state-wide catch of fishing or recreation. each is shown for Region 3 in Table 38, for five differ- Warmwater species, once stocked in a suitable en- ent years between 1951 and 1957. The percentage of vironment, are usually able to maintain themselves, anglers catching the above species in Region 3 is thus rarely necessitating restocking. Frequently, the shown in Table 39. Table 38 gives an indication of fish become too abundant for the available food supply the species contribution to the state-wide totals, while causing stunted fish. Such fish, though only a few

TABLE 38 ESTIMATED CATCH OF SELECTED GAMEFISH SPECIES BY ANGLING IN SAN FRANCISCO ADMINISTRATIVE REGION 1 Trout Black Bass Catfish Panfish River Salmon Steelhead Striped Bass 1951 1,767,000 (9.9)2 170,000 (13.5) 709,000 (16.5) 770,000 (52.0) 1953 1,840,000 (8.8) 540,000 (24.6) 920,000 (14.9) 15,000 (7.4) 34,000 (12.9) 730,000 (54.5) 1954 993,000 (3.7) 486,000 (20.8) 1,713,000 (25.9) 1,648,000 (15.0) 14,000 (7.0) 75,000 (18.3) 747,000 (65.9) 1956 _ 1,983,000 (7.4) 326,000 (12.7) 1,511,000 (22.8) 2,319,000 (22.2) 18,000 (8.7) 64,000 (17.8) 406,000 (46.5) 1957 4,562,000 (14.6) 681,000 (28.5) 3,020,000 (36.3) 2,768,000 (34.4) 25,000 (12.8) 110,000 (20.5) 1,087,000 (60.1) iData from postal survey estimates, Calhoun (1953), Skinner (1955) and Ryan (1959). 2 The figures in parentheses are percentages of statewide totals of each species for the year cited.

TABLE 39 inches in length, are capable of reproducing, thus fur- PERCENTAGE OF ALL CALIFORNIA ANGLING LICENSEES ther aggravating the situation. Lakes in which this REPORTED HAVING CAUGHT SELECTED SPECIES IN condition occurs are sometimes chemically treated to THE SAN FRANCISCO ADMINISTRATIVE REGION 3 eradicate the stunted population and are then restocked with a new or different broodstock combination. 1951 1953 Trout 10.8 9.3 Lakes which become infested with carp and other Blackbasses 19.7 21.6 undesirable species which compete with game species Catfish - 22.9 16.2 are similarly treated and restocked. Panfish 16.3 22.3 The Department of Fish and Game maintains an Striped Bass 47.6 48.7 active program of stocking catchable-size, (7-inch), River Salmon - 17.3 Steelhead - 32.6 or, in some cases, subcatchable-size or fingerling trout, FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 129 in streams and reservoirs suited to this type of man- recreational areas, which are not now open to the agement. In 1957, for instance, the scheduled allotment public. for the Bay Area included 381,000 catchable-size rain- Trout Streams: This category includes most of the bow trout, 1,400,000 subcatchables, and 50,000 eastern cooler freshwater streams capable of sustaining wild brook trout fingerlings. or catchable trout. Many are heavily stocked with Usually trout streams near population centers are catchable rainbow trout and thus provide an easily subjected to heavy angling pressure and are stocked accessible source of angling near the metropolitan regularly, provided the habitat is satisfactory and the areas. Many of these streams support resident popula- return to the creel is reasonable. Numerous streams, tions of rainbow trout, steelhead, silver salmon, and too remote to be fished heavily, are stocked infre- freque?itly brown trout. Most streams in this category quently or not at all. Although such streams individ- are utilized in some capacity by silver salmon, steel- ually support relatively minor trout or steelhead popu- head, or trout for natural propagation. Smaller tribu- lations, it is possible that they collectively shoulder taries of an intermittent character may require fish much of the trout and steelhead angling pressure in salvage operations by Fish and Game crews when they the region. Their individual and minor character, dry up. however, makes them difficult or impractical to census and evaluate. Warmwater Lakes: Reservoirs which seasonally be- In a previous section of the report, it was shown come too warm for trout may support excellent popu- that juvenile silver salmon and steelhead contribute lations of black bass, crappie, panfish or catfish, if a substantially to angling in the Bay Area. Anglers fre- minimum pool is provided. There are a number of quently confuse these species with resident trout. these in the Bay counties, especially in Santa Clara, Many streams and lakes are not conducive to natural Napa and Solano counties. These lakes may support reproduction of game species, but nevertheless are heavy annual fishing pressure. After an initial stocking, valuable to the angling public. Thus, cool or fluctuat- they are normally maintained through natural propa- ing water-supply reservoirs which will not provide a gation. Many impoundments suitable for warmwater satisfactory warmwater fishery can be stocked with fishing are public water supplies not open to angling trout and provide excellent angling, even though such at this time. habitat is not suitable for natural trout propagation Warmwater Streams: Streams under this heading usu- because most trout require the cool running water of ally get too warm in the summer and fall to sustain streams for spawning. Trout populations in heavily most trout, although brown trout may occur in some fished streams often cannot maintain sufficient levels of them. The fish population may consist of any com- of abundance through natural propagation and require bination of small-mouth black bass, crappie, catfish, supplemental stocks of fish. panfish, and roughfish. Angling pressure on these Many of the freshwater lakes and streams of the waters is usually light to moderate. Bay Area are located on, or flow through tracts of private land. Since most of them have not been open Miscellaneous Waters: The waters in this category are to the angling public, there has been little occasion to highly variable and generally without a specific man- survey or stock them. Many of these streams support agement program. They may contain either salmonid, populations of resident trout and are spawning tribu- warmwater or brackish water species. In some cases, taries for steelhead. there may be a minor seasonal fishery for trout or steelhead, in others, perhaps, a sparsely utilized popu- As a means of outlining the freshwater fisheries of lation of warmwater fishes. Angling pressure may vary the San Francisco Bay Area, a county-by-county tabu- greatly. lation of the more important waters in each is provided. In general, the freshwater fisheries fall into the five Three distinct habitat zones are usually evident in arbitrary categories listed in Table 40, and described the larger tributaries of the Bay. These zones are osten- below. sibly the result of variable salinity and temperature conditions. Trout Lakes: These are in most cases water-storage Headwaters of the streams are usually pure and cold reservoirs or other suitable impoundments under De- since they are fed primarily by winter runoff or partment of Fish and Game management for trout springs. Such waters are especially suitable for trout stocking. A policy of the Fish and Game Commission and other salmonids. At medium and low elevations, provides that catchable-size trout be stocked only in air temperatures are usually much higher and stream those waters where a reasonably high (about SO per- flows modified to the extent that the water becomes cent) percentage return of stocked fish may be ex- progressively warmer as it flows downstream. pected. Normally, the suggested return can only be At some point the stream usually becomes more suit- met under very intense angling pressures. Natural able for warmwater fishes than salmonids. Near the trout propagation in these lakes is generally lacking. mouth, which is very near sea level, the water becomes There are a number of water supply reservoirs in the brackish to saline and the species which inhabit it are Bay Area with excellent potential as trout lakes and either marine or unique to brackish conditions. Brack- 130 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

TABLE 40 TABULATION OF FISHING WATERS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

County Trout Lakes Trout Streams Warmwater Lakes Warmwater Streams Miscellaneous

Alameda .. None San Lorenzo Creek Temescal Lake San Lorenzo Creek Calaveras Creek Alameda Creek Calaveras Reservoir Alameda Creek Lake Merritt Arroyo Mocho Creek Lake Chabot Calaveras Creek Arroyo las Positas San Leandro Reservoir San Leandro Creek Arroyo del Valle Arroyo de la Laguna Contra Costa... None Inadequate data to spe- San Pablo Reservoir1 Castro Creek Castro Creek cifically isolate trout Martinez Reservoir1 San Pablo Creek Pinole Creek streams LaFayette Reservoir1 Walnut Creek San Pablo Creek Mallard Reservoir1 San Ramon Creek Tassajara Creek LaFayette Creek Pacheco Creek Walnut Creek Alamo Creek Pine Creek Sycamore Creek Bear Creek Marin. - Alpine Lake Olema Creek Novato Reservoir Novato Creek Novato Creek Phoenix Lake Pine Gulch Creek Rush Creek Lagunitas Lake Papermill (Lagunitas) Gallinas Creek Bon Tempe Lake Creek Crystal Lake Rodeo Lagoon Arroyo Nicasio Bass Lake Kent Lake San Antonio Pelican Lake Abbott's Lagoon Napa None Dry Creek Conn Valley Lake Napa River Leoma Lakes Redwood Creek (Lake Hennessey) Conn Creek Soda Creek Conn Creek Rector Reservoir1 Moore Creek Curry Lake1 Mill Creek Milliken Reservoir1 Napa River Napa Slough San Francisco. . Lake Merced None Stowe Lake None None San Mateo Pilarcitos Lake San Pedro Creek San Andreas Lake1 San Francisquito Creek Alpine Creek Higgins Creek Reservoir Tunitas Creek Crystal Springs Reser- ElCorte de Madera Upper Bean Hollcw Denniston Creek voir Creek Purissima Creek Searsville Lake Deer Creek Gazos Creek Lake Lucerne1 Frenchman's Creek San Gregorio Creek Lower Bean Hollow LaHondo Creek Butano Creek Lake Lobitas Creek Pescadero Creek Mindego Creek San Francisquito Creek Pomponio Creek Santa Clara Stevens Creek Reser- Arroyo Hondo Creek Felt Lake (Private) San Francisquito Creek Guadalupe River voir San Francisquito Creek Calaveras Reservoir Guadalupe River Coyote Creek Austrian Reservoir1 Calero Reservoir Coyote Creek Stevens Creek Lexington Reservoir • LeRoy Anderson Reser- Stevens Creek Arroyo Bayo Almaden Reservoir voir Los Gatos Creek Packwood Creek Guadalupe Reservoir Coyote Reservoir Los Gatos Creek Williams Reservoir

Solano. None Suisun Creek Pine Lake (Private) Suisun Creek Ledgewood Creek Lake Herman1 Ledgewood Creek Green Valley Creek Lake Chabot Montezuma Slough Sulphur Springs Creek Lake Madigan Montezuma Slough Lake Frey 1 Sonoma None None Petaluma Reservoir Petaluma Creek Petaluma Creek Sonoma Creek Sonoma Creek Tolay Creek Napa Slough Calabazas Creek Carriger Creek Adobe Creek

1 Currently closed to public fishing. FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 131 ish portions of creeks and sloughs are frequented by Lake Chabot, San Leandro Reservoir: These are striped bass, are permanent habitat for cottids, gobies, water supply reservoirs of the East Bay Municipal smelt and other forage species, and some are highways Utility District, which is currently studying the pos- for anadromous species. sibility of opening some of its reservoirs to public fish- All listed waters contain forage and non-gamefish of ing. They contain warmwater species of fish but are one sort or another, some of which provide limited closed to public fishing at the present time. angling. It should be realized, of course, that some Warmwater Streams. waters do not fit any of the above classifications while There are no streams in the portion of Alameda others might possibly fit into two or more. County discussed in this report which could be re- ferred to as typical warmwater streams. Warmwater SUMMARY BY COUNTY species of fish, nevertheless, inhabit portions of the fol- Alameda County lowing: San Lorenzo, Alameda, San Leandro, and Cala- veras creeks. Trout Lakes. There are no trout lakes in the portion of Alameda Miscellaneous Waters. County discussed in this report. Calaveras Creek: Below Calaveras Reservoir there are mixed populations of trout and warmwater species. Trout Streams. Angler use has not been investigated. San Lorenzo Creek: This is a steelhead stream which is tributary to San Francisco Bay. It has the usual Lake Merritt: Situated within the city of Oakland, estuarine fauna near its mouth and trout in the head- this tidal basin was designated a waterfowl sanctuary in waters. The creek has been modified greatly by man 1869, reportedly the first in the United States. The fish and is scheduled for further development. There is population is limited to brackish water forms; namely, some question as to the effect of a recent channeliza- flounder, smelt, gobies, striped bass and sticklebacks. tion project on the steelhead runs. Angling pressure has Children account for light to moderate fishing use of not been investigated recently. the lake. The lake would appear to be a recreational asset which has not been developed to its fullest Alameda Creek: During the 1930's, this creek ac- potential. commodated a steelhead run of fair quality. At the present time, it is managed as a catchable trout stream about 35,000 being planted there in 1957. Angling pres- Contra Costa County sure is generally moderate. Trout Lakes. Arroyo Mocho Creek: Like many other streams in There are no trout lakes in the portion of Contra the Region, Arroyo Mocho Creek has a small annual Costa County discussed in this report. run of steelhead and a fairly good resident population of rainbow and brown trout. According to survey Trout Streams. records of the 1940's, it received moderate angling The streams in Contra Costa County have not been pressure and produced nice catches of trout. adequately investigated to permit the separate listing of trout streams. Most of the streams in the county are Arroyo las Positas, San Leandro Creek, Arroyo del intermittent but nevertheless contain local trout popu- Valle, Arroyo de la Laguna: These creeks contain lations. However, since data are not available to speci- resident trout populations and may accommodate steel- fically isolate trout streams, they are included in the head. They have not been surveyed as to their present miscellaneous classification. or potential fisheries value and are not under any speci- fic management program. Warmwater Lakes. San Pablo Reservoir: This water supply reservoir Warm-water Lakes. supports a population of warmwater fishes, and, in ad- Temescal Lake: This small lake contains the usual dition, is reported to contain striped bass. Its fisheries warmwater assemblage of largemouth black bass, pan- value is potential, since it is presently closed to the fish, catfish and forage fishes. It was chemically treated public. in 1951 to remove roughfish. The lake receives heavy local use particularly by juveniles. Martinez, La Fayette, Mallard reservoirs: None of these reservoirs have been investigated to the writer's Calaveras Reservoir: Formerly this lake was char- knowledge, but it is safe to say they contain warm- acterized by a good annual run of rainbow trout from water fish populations. They are presently closed to Arroyo Hondo Creek. Beginning about 1940, they be- the public and, therefore, must be considered as poten- gan to disappear. The reason for the disappearance was tial fisheries. thought to be the methods employed to control algae. The lake now contains a typical warmwater assemblage Warmwater Streams. of fish, about which little is known. Since it is a water Castro, Pinole, San Pablo, Pacheco, and Walnut supply reservoir, it is currently closed to public fishing. Creeks: The part of Contra Costa County encom- 132 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME passed by this report does not contain any typical trout season but progressively less thereafter. The lake warmwater streams. However, the lower drainages of has the normal assemblage of warmwater species but these waters accommodate a variety of warmwater it is marginal for them. species. Trout Streams. Miscellaneous Waters. Olema Creek: Natural populations of steelhead, sil- Castro, Pinole, San Pablo, San Ramon, Tassajara, ver salmon and resident rainbow trout are present in La Fayette, Pacheco, Walnut, Alamo, Pine, Sycamore, this stream. Its overall contribution to the Bay Area and Bear creeks: These are for the most part small must be considered minor, but it is important to local intermittent creeks about which little information is anglers. In the past, dairy pollution was of sufficient available. Most contain natural trout populations and severity to warrant an investigation by the Depart- several have small runs of steelhead. Several have ment of Fish and Game which resulted in action by mixed populations of warmwater, game and forage the Regional Water Pollution Control Board. Fish fishes. Lack of data does not permit more detailed passage structures are present in the creek. description. Pine Gulch Creek: A small annual run of steelhead and a resident population of rainbow trout, about Marin County which little are known, occur in this stream. These populations maintain themselves without the aid of Trout Lakes. stocking. Angling pressure has not been measured. Alpine Lake: This lake is managed by the Depart- Papermill (Lagunitas) Creek: This is one of the best ment of Fish and Game as a catchable trout water. steelhead and silver salmon streams in the Bay Area. Pre-season plants of about 10,000 fish are made each Rainbow trout are also present. The natural spawning year. It is a large lake with inadequate angling pressure areas have been greatly reduced by numerous diversion to warrant heavier stocking. However, in 1957, it also dams. Angling is heavy during the winter when the received 100,000 sub-catchable trout for experimental steelhead run is on but overall use is moderate. Dairy purposes. After heavy initial pressure at the beginning pollution was severe at one time and still poses a threat of the trout season, use becomes moderate to light. to fishlife. Action was taken to clean up this problem It is a potentially valuable reservoir, capable of heavier at the same time as on Olema Creek. angling pressure. Arroyo Nicasio: Self-sustaining populations of steel- Phoenix Lake: This is another catchable trout lake head and resident rainbow trout occur in this stream. managed by the Department of Fish and Game. About Angling pressure is moderate to low. Water develop- 25,000 rainbow trout were stocked here in 1957. Plants ment has been a problem on this stream. However, the are made throughout the season. Angling pressure is developing agencies have been required to provide fa- heavy even though there is a lack of facilities. Warm- cilities for mitigation of damages to the resources. water, gamefish, forage and roughfish inhabit and maintain themselves in the reservoir, but conditions San Antonio Creek: A natural population of rain- are marginal for the gamefish. bow trout and some steelhead are present in San An- tonio Creek. Water development is also a problem on Lagunitas Lake: This also is a catchable trout lake this stream. Angling pressure has not been measured under State management. It receives about 30,000 fish but is presumably low. each year of which an estimated 70 percent are caught by anglers. As the results indicate, it receives intense Warmwater Lakes. angling pressure. Like Phoenix Lake, it is marginal for Novato Reservoir: This is a new reservoir being warmwater species of which several kinds are present. managed for largemouth black bass, bluegill and other Bon Tempe Lake: Like the preceding three, this is warmwater species. The potential appears to be good, a catchable trout lake managed by the State. In 1957, but it has not been fully evaluated yet as to its capa- it received 15,000 catchable trout and an experimental bility of sustaining a good natural population of warm- plant of 50,000 sub-catchables. Angling is heavy ini- water fishes. Angling pressure is moderate. tially but fades as the season progresses. Warmwater Streams. Rodeo Lagoon: This lagoon only recently was put Well defined warmwater streams do not exist in under State management for catchable trout. About Marin County, although warmwater species occur in 5,000 fish were stocked in 1957. Recreational use is portions of Novato and Gallinas creeks. somewhat restricted since the lake is on a military reservation. Miscellaneous Waters. Kent Lake: This is a water supply reservoir under Novato Creek: Near the mouth this is a typical State management. It was allotted 100,000 sub-catch- brackish water slough which supports a striped bass able trout in 1957. Like a number of the others, it fishery of fair quality and good waterfowl hunting. receives heavy angling pressure at the beginning of Above tidal influence, the fish population is negligible. FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 133 Hunting and fishing account for moderate use of the Rector Reservoir: This is a water supply reservoir lower part of the creek. Domestic sewage is a constant now closed to the public. The fishery was formerly threat to fish and wildlife. In 1953, a rather large kill managed by the State for catchable trout and rescued of striped bass and carp occurred here. steelhead. It still contains a residual population of trout and roughfish. Rush, Gallinas creeks: These are typical miscellane- ous streams lacking survey data and without definite Curry Lake, Milliken Reservoir: Like Rector Res- management programs. ervoir, these waters are closed to the public. They contain populations of warmwater fishes. Crystal, Bass, Pelican lakes: These are private lakes which have not been surveyed by the Department of Warmwater Streams. Fish and Game. Conn Creek, Napa River, Napa Slough, Soda Creek: Abbot fs Lagoon: This is a private lagoon about There are no well defined warmwater streams in the which little is known except that striped bass have portion of Napa County discussed in this report. How- been reported from it. ever, warmwater species do occur in the above named streams. Miscellaneous Waters. Napa County Leoma Lakes: These are a series of privately owned Trout Lakes. lakes which are used for domestic fish breeding pur- There are no specifically managed trout lakes in the poses. portion of Napa County covered by this report. Soda Creek: Minor steelhead and resident rainbow trout populations maintain themselves in this creek Trout Streams. but little is known about them. Angling pressure oc- Dry Creek: A steelhead run and a resident popula- curs during a short period each spring. Its value as a tion of rainbow trout occur in this creek. It is one of steelhead spawning tributary has not been investigated. the best spawning tributaries for steelhead in the whole There are water diversions on the stream but no fish Napa River system. Angling use is minor and largely facilities. dependent upon the steelhead run. There are two low irrigation and domestic water diversion dams on the Moore, Mill Creeks: Both of these are small creeks stream, each with a fish ladder. which have not been surveyed and which do not have specific management programs. Redwood (Napa) Creek: This is another tributary Napa River: Although this river is classified miscel- of the Napa River similar to Dry Creek. Although laneous, it is important to fishlife as well as the anglers resident trout are present, the principal value of the who use it. The estuarine portion of the river to some stream is its use as a steelhead spawning tributary. The distance above the city of Napa has furnished excellent stream is intermittent in the lower reaches, but pools striped bass angling. Above Napa, catfish, other warm- near the headwaters are maintained by springs where water species and resident trout are present. Steelhead juvenile steelhead exist during the summer. pass up the river to spawning tributaries. Conn Creek: Conn Creek is managed by the Depart- Below the city of Napa, the river was at one time ment of Fish and Game primarily as a catchable trout one of the most favored striped bass fishing areas and stream, but a small self-propagating run of steelhead a number of resorts were built to accommodate the enters each year. During 1957, 11,000 trout were fishery. It still receives moderate to heavy angling stocked here. Angling is generally moderate. A loose- pressure. When the steelhead fishery was censused rock dam which was put across the creek to form a during the 1954-55 season, it was estimated that 1,508 small reservoir is stocked and reserved for the use of angler days were spent here during January and Feb- children. ruary. Catch success was estimated at 0.28 fish per angler day. Warmwater Lakes. Investigations have failed to reveal whether or not Conn Valley Lake, (Lake Hennessey): A water sup- striped bass spawn in the river. However, plankton ply reservoir formerly managed for catchable trout, collections revealed tremendous numbers of eggs of this lake now supports an assemblage of warmwater other species, chiefly cottids and gobies. fishes including largemouth black bass, bluegills, green The lower part of the river is used heavily by naval sunfish and crappie. It receives heavy angling pressure, vessels, and freight barges which ply the river between is well policed, and is provided with a boat launching its mouth and the city of Napa. A number of sources ramp and sanitary facilities. The fish population is of pollution exist from Napa downstream. Domestic self-sustaining. The lake is provided with rough-fish sewage has been the most aggravating. Above Napa, control structures at the inlets. Some trout are still winery and dairy wastes are the principal pollution taken; apparently they reproduce near the mouths of threats. Fish kills in the Napa River have not been un- the tributaries. common in the past. 134 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Napa Slough: The typical brackish water fauna oc- Miscellaneous Waters. curs in this slough. Quantitative data on angler use The only remaining waters in the county which are not available, but it may be assumed moderate. In might be included in this category are the sloughs addition, the slough runs through excellent waterfowl along the shoreline. habitat and is used by many hunters each year. The State leases 5,000 acres adjoining it from the Leslie Salt Company for use as a waterfowl management San Mafeo County area. Trout Lakes. Pilarcitos Lake: This lake is part of the San Fran- San Francisco County cisco public water supply system and is closed to the public. It has 109 surface acres, and when surveyed Trout Lakes. in 1931, contained a good population of trout. Tribu- Lake Merced: This is a good trout lake managed tary streams are available for trout reproduction. by the Department of Fish and Game. Each year from 50,000 to 65,000 catchable-size trout are stocked Higgins Creek Reservoir: The fishery at this private in it. In 1957, the scheduled allotment included 50,000 reservoir is managed by the State. In 1957, it received catchables in the Lake Merced Impoundment, 260,000 6,000 catchable rainbow trout. Although too small to fingerling rainbows and 50,000 eastern brook trout contribute appreciably to angling in the Bay Area, it fingerlings in North Lake Merced, and 540,000 finger- is important to the local citizenry. lings in South Lake Merced. Upper Bean Hollow Lake: This is an irrigation The lake receives very heavy fishing pressure. John- water supply reservoir of about 50 surface acres. In son (1957a) has analyzed the records from the boat 1957, it was stocked with 28,000 catchable rainbow fishery. His data are given in Table 41 for the years trout. Angling pressure is moderate. Although angling 1954, 1955 and 1956. is free, a fee is charged for parking.

TABLE 41 Trout Streams. STATISTICS OF THE LAKE MERCED BOAT FISHERY Purissima, San Pedro, Tunitas creeks: These are small coastal streams utilized principally by natural steelhead Mean Catch per Angler populations. Angling is light. Year Angler Days Total Catch Day Denniston Creek: Formerly managed for catchable- 1954 27,031 37,960 1.58 size trout, this creek was dropped from the program 1955 26,740 65,526 2.40 when a dam was constructed about a mile upstream 1956 25,412 33,585 1.32 from the mouth. Angler use is limited by the fact that the creek is bordered by private lands. It is of minor In a later report (1957b), Johnson used postal ques- value for steelhead spawning since the dam is situated tionnaires to get an estimate of the amount of shore below the usable gravels. Angling pressure is negligible angling as compared to boat angling. It was determined except at the beginning of the steelhead season. that shore angling accounts for two to three times as much effort as the boat fishery. A total of 132,305 Gazos Creek: This minor steelhead stream is also angler days were reported for both types of angling being managed under State's catchable trout program. in 1956. Gazos Creek was stocked with 9,000 rainbow trout in The lake is a standby water supply consisting of 1957. During the 193O's, this creek was reported to three artificial impoundments totaling 279 surface have received heavy local use by anglers over a long acres. season. It is now of minor value to anglers except for a short period during the winter when steelhead ap- Trout Streams. pear. Logging pollution has been a problem on Gazos There are no trout streams as defined in San Fran- Creek. cisco County. San Gregorio Creek: This is a moderately good steelhead stream for this area. The run is maintained Warmwater Lakes. through natural propagation. Resident trout are also Stowe Lake: This and other small lakes in Golden present in the stream and support some angling. An- Gate Park contain a variety of warmwater fishes and gling pressure is heaviest during the winter steelhead roughfish. Up to now a satisfactory combination of season. During a January 1955 census, 188 angler days fish species to sustain a sport fishery has not been produced 51 steelhead. found. As a result, they are not presently of much value as recreational areas. Butano Creek: This is another small coastal stream with self-sustaining populations of steelhead, silver Warmwater Streams. salmon and rainbow trout. Angler use is now limited There are no warmwater streams in the county. by private lands which border the creek, but it was FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 135 formerly reported to receive heavy trout fishing pres- Santa Clara County sure. Falls about five to six miles upstream presently limit its value for steelhead spawning. Trout Lakes. Stevens Creek Reservoir: This is a water supply Pescadero Creek: This is one of the best steelhead reservoir managed as a catchable trout fishery. It was streams in the Bay Area. The headwaters in Portola chemically treated first to remove the roughfish before State Park are stocked heavily with catchable trout, being stocked with trout of which about 27,000 were some 39,000 in 1957. Silver salmon also spawn in the planted in 1957. The lake is very heavily fished. creek. It receives heavy steelhead use and intense an- gling for catchable trout. The 1954-55 census indicated Austrian Reservoir: Formerly managed as a catch- 2,281 angler days were spent to catch 249 steelhead. able trout lake, this water supply reservoir is now closed to public use. Since its closure, the fish popu- San Francisquito Creek: Formerly a good steelhead lation has not been investigated. stream, this creek has been greatly modified through man's activities. There still is a small run each year Lexington Reservoir: This reservoir was stocked which must contend with adverse runoff conditions, with 30,000 catchable size trout and 100,000 sub-catch- pollution, and obstructions. Angling pressure depends ables in 1957. Because the reservoir is drawn down to some extent on water conditions but must be con- severely each year, fishing is limited to the early part sidered light. Except during extreme high water, fish of the season, when it is possible at all. Angling pres- are unable to negotiate a dam which they must do to sure is heavy when the reservoir can be fished. reach the spawning areas. Guadalupe, Almaden Reservoirs: These are small reservoirs subject to severe annual drawdown. They Warm water Lakes. are stocked with catchable-sized trout when water is San Andreas Lake, Crystal Springs Reservoir: Both available. Some warmwater fishes are present. of these are water supply reservoirs for the City of San Francisco and are presently closed to the public. Trout Streams. Both contain good warmwater fish populations. Crys- Arroyb Hondo Creek: Until the late 1940's, excel- tal Springs Reservoir has been a designated fish and lent rainbow and brown trout populations existed in game refuge for many years. this creek. The present status of the resource and the fishery is not known. Since it is almost completely Searsville Lake: This small water supply reservoir bordered by private lands, public access is difficult. contains a mixed population or largemouth black bass, panfish, and catfish. A boat rental concession has been San Francisquito Creek: (See San Mateo County). established on the lake and angling pressure is heavy. Warmwater Lakes. Lake Lucerne: Not much is known about this irriga- Felt Lake-. This is a standby water supply and pri- tion storage reservoir except that it contains the usual vate reservoir under the management of Stanford Uni- assemblage of warmwater species. Being a private lake, versity. It contains largemouth black bass, bluegills, trespass problems are involved. It is another potential and forage species and is used as an experimental pond fishery, however. by University fisheries personnel. It is closed to the Lower Bean Hollow Lake: After chemical treat- public. ment by the State, this irrigation storage reservoir was Calaveras Reservoir: (See Alameda County). stocked with largemouth bass and panfish. Since it has Calero Reservoir: This water supply reservoir un- only recently come under any form of management, dergoes too great a drawdown each year to support a its angling potential is not known. It appears to be stable year-around warmwater fishery but it some- marginal for warmwater species. Though privately times furnishes angling early in the season. owned, it is open to the public. Le Roy Anderson Reservoir: This reservoir supports Warmwater Streams. one of the best warmwater fisheries in the Bay Area. There are no well defined warmwater streams in It has a good population of largemouth bass, bluegills, San Mateo County. San Francisquito Creek, however, black crappie and catfish. It is a water supply and contains a limited population of forage, gamefish and as the lake lowers, angling pressure drops from intense roughfish species. early in the spring to light in the fall. Coyote Reservoir: This is a major reservoir with a Miscellaneous Waters. good warmwater fish population most years. It is sub- Alpine, El Corte Madera, Deer, Frenchman's, La ject to severe draw-down in dry years. Honda, Lobitas, Mindego, Pomponio Creeks: Each of these creeks contain resident trout populations and Warmwater Streams. some are used by steelhead. However, they have not While there are no typical warmwater streams in been specifically surveyed as to their present or po- Santa Clara County, the tributaries of the Bay in Santa tential fisheries value. Clara County provide angling for warmwater species. 136 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Among these may be cited the Guadalupe River and recommended development of a warmwater fishery in Coyote and Los Gatos creeks. both. Miscellaneous Waters. Pine Lake: This is a 15-acre lake on the property of Guadalupe River: The lower part of this river for- the Benicia Arsenal. When last checked by the Depart- merly was favored by striped bass, but they are rarely ment of Fish and Game, there were largemouth black seen there now. Steelhead ascend the river and its bass, bluegill and small forage fishes present. Angling is tributaries to spawn during the runoff period, but restricted to military personnel. there has also been a progressive decline in the size of Lake Herman: Lake Herman is a water supply reser- the runs. Above Guadalupe Reservoir, the river and voir for the City of Benicia. It contains the usual as- its tributaries support small, but locally important, semblage of warmwater species. The lake is now closed trout populations. Steelhead reproduction occurs in to public fishing, but was open in the past. the small tributaries below Guadalupe Dam and good Lake Chabot: This is another water supply for the populations of black bass, bluegill and catfish exist in City of Vallejo. It supplies some angling for warm- ponds between tidewater and Guadalupe Dam. water fishes but frequently goes dry and requires re- Generally speaking, angling quality has been im- stocking. paired by the degradation of the river. A serious pol- lution problem has existed in the lower section for Warmwater Streams. many years and although much has been done to al- Suisun, Green Valley, Ledgeivood creeks: There are leviate the situation, recent investigations indicate it is no typical warmwater streams in the portion of still unsatisfactory to fishlife. Pollution is most acute in Solano County encompassed by this report, although the late summer during the peak of the canning season. warmwater game species are found in those listed Coyote Creek: The description of the Guadalupe above. River is appropriate to Coyote Creek. Except for a Miscellaneous Waters. considerably larger estuary, the two streams are similar. Ledgeivood, Green Valley, Sulphur Springs creeks: The same fish species inhabit the estuary and upstream These creeks are not under a specific management pro- areas. Pollution is also serious in the estuary of this gram and have not been surveyed. However, it is as- creek. sumed they contain both warmwater and salmonid Stevens Creek: Stevens Creek is similar to the above fishes. Angler use has not been investigated but all in- two except that the estuary is much smaller. The dications are that it is light. fishery is also less intense. The headwaters of the creek support a local trout fishery. Sonoma County San Felipe, Penitencia, Packwood, Los Gatos creeks: Trout Lakes. These are small, mostly intermittent streams supporting local trout fisheries. They do not have a specific man- There are no trout lakes of public significance in the agement program and have not been surveyed in detail. portion of Sonoma County encompassed by this report. Williams Reservoir: This is a small reservoir which Trout Streams. usually dries up each year. It provides sporadic fishing. There are no surveyed streams in this category, al- though unsurveyed tributaries of the larger creeks may Solano County possibly fit into this class. Trout Lakes. Warmwater Lakes. There are no trout lakes in the portion of Solano Petaluma Reservoir: This reservoir has the potential County discussed in this report. for development of a warmwater fishery, but it is not presently open to the public. It is a public water Trout Streams. supply. Suisun Creek: A small annual run of steelhead occurs in this creek as well as a limited number of resident Warmwater Streams. trout. There are no specific warmwater streams within the portion of Sonoma County encompassed by this re- Warmwater Lakes. port. However, sections of the larger creeks and Lakes Madigcm and Frey: These lakes are part of the sloughs above tidal influence contain good populations City of Vallejo's water system. They were stocked of catfish, carp, largemouth bass and panfish. Such with catchable trout from 1940 (except during World waters include: Petaluma, Sonoma, and Tolay creeks, War II) until 1960. Angler use (and stocking) varied Napa Slough, Second and Third Napa Sloughs. depending on the water level of the reservoirs and the period of time the City of Vallejo allowed fishing. The Miscellaneous Waters. lakes were recently surveyed, (Kelley 1959) and were Petaluma Creek: Near the mouth, this creek supports found to be unsuitable for trout management. Kelley the typical brackish water fauna with striped bass be- FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES, SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 137 ing the principal game species. Catfish and other warm- fowl utilize the lower part during the winter and some water species are present above tidal influence. Some hunting takes place. Dairy and winery wastes are po- steelhead ascend the creek to upstream tributaries to tential pollution threats spawn. Angling and recreational use has not been Tolay Creek: This creek may be assumed to be measured but it is probably minor. Waterfowl and similar to the preceding two in the lower section, but waterfowl hunters also use the creek to some extent. on a smaller scale and without the steelhead or trout Petaluma Creek is navigable water and receives wastes from both river traffic and shore installations. fisheries Napa Slough: (See Napa County). Sonoma Creek: The fish fauna of Sonoma Creek near the Bay and into freshwater is similar to Petaluma Calabazas Creek: Not much is known about the gen- Creek and seasonally provides excellent striped bass eral fish population of this creek. However, it does fishing. Above the City of Sonoma, there are steel- have a small annual run of steelhead and is used by head and catchable trout fisheries. Some 5,000 trout them for spawning. Recreational use is limited to sum- are stocked annually. The creek receives moderate mer fishing for juvenile steelhead. local use in the upper section where it is bordered by Carriger Creek: This creek supports a minor but private lands. The fishery in this area is generally dur- locally important steelhead fishery. A fish ladder is ing the summer, although there is a minor winter steel- head fishery also. The Valley of the Moon Recreation present and the stream is included in the State's fish District, located on Sonoma Creek, operates a small rescue program. recreational angling impoundment. The riffles in the Adobe Creek: The fish population and angling use upper part of the creek are utilized by steelhead dur- made of this creek are not well known, although it ing the spawning period. As at Petaluma Creek, water- accommodates a small run of steelhead each year.

FRESHWATER FISHERIES REFERENCES Allen, K. Radway Hatton, S. Ross 1949. The Objects of Freshwater Fisheries Research. Pro- 1940. Progress Report on the Central Valley Fisheries In- ceedings, Seventh Pacific Science Congress, Vol. 4, vestigations, 1939. California Fish and Game, Vol. 26, pp. 556-562. No. 4, pp. 334-373. Calhoun, A. J. Hatton, S. Ross and G. H. Clark 1950. California Angling Catch Records from Postal Card 1942. A Second Progress Report on the Central Valley Surveys: 1936-1948: With an Evaluation of Postal Card Fisheries Investigations. California Fish and Game, Nonresponse. California Fish and Game, Vol. 36, No. Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 116-123. 3, pp. 177-234. Hubbs, Carl L. and Karl F. Lagler 1951. California State-Wide Angling Estimates for 1949. 1949. Fishes of the Great Lakes Region. Cranbrook Institute California Fish and Game, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 69-75. of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. 186 pp. illus- 1953. State-Wide California Angling Estimates for 1951. trated. California Fish and Game, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 103-113. Cope, Oliver B. and Leo F. Erkkila Job, S. V. 1952. Weekday Angling Pressure in the Sacramento-San 1955. The Oxygen Consumption of Salvelinus Fontinalis Joaquin Delta, 1948 and 1949. California Fish and University of Toronto Biological Series #61. Univer- Game, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 73-84. sity of Toronto Press. Curtis, Brian Johnson, William C. 1939. Anglers' Catch Records in California. Trans. Am. Fish 1957a. Sampling Fishing Success by Postal Card Question- Soc, Vol. 69, pp. 125-131. naires at Lake Merced, San Francisco County—1956. 1941. Creel Counts in California. California Fish and Game, California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fish- Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 185-189. eries Branch Administrative Report No. 57-12, 6 pp. 1942. The General Situation and the Biological Effects of mimeo. the Introduction of Alien Fishes into California 1957b. Lake Merced Boat Catch Records in 1956 and Their Waters. California Fish and Game, Vol. 28, No. 1, Reflection on the Lake's Fisheries Management Pro- pp. 2-8. gram. California Department of Fish and Game, In- 1949. The Warm Water Game Fishes of California. Califor- land Fisheries Branch Administrative Report No. nia Fish and Game; Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 255-273. (Re- 57-17, 9 pp. mimeo. vised 1954) Kelly, D. W. Davis, H. S. 1959. Investigation at Frey and Modigan Reservoirs, Solano 1956. Culture and Diseases of Game Fishes. University of County with Recommendations for Improvement of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles. 332 p. the Fishery. California Department of Fish and Game, illustrated. Administrative Report No. 60-4. Fisher, C. K. Kimsey, J. B. 1957. The 1954-55 Steelhead Fisheries in Region 3 Streams, 1958. Possible Effects of Introducing Threadfin Shad (Doro- Based on Angler Census Conducted by Wildlife Pro- soma petenensis) into the Sacramento-San Joaquin tection Officers. Administrative Report in preparation, Delta. California Department of Fish and Game, In- California Department of Fish and Game. land Fisheries Branch, Administrative Report 58-16. 138 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

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